CAREER: Unraveling the Cluster Chemistry of Chalcogenide Semiconductor Nanoparticles

化学系的大分子、超分子和纳米化学(MSN)计划通过这一奖项资助俄克拉荷马州立大学的Yolanda Vasquez教授在合成含有硫、硒和碲元素(统称为硫族元素)的十亿分之一米大小的粒子方面产生基础知识。这些纳米结构有许多用途，包括电视和手机显示器，以及敏感的生物医学成像。寻求改进对新开发的结构和化学成分的控制的策略。新的化学组合和结构对于在现有和新的技术应用中实现最佳性能至关重要。该教育计划为研究生和本科生在纳米科学领域的跨学科研究生涯做好准备。在俄亥俄州立大学校园举行的纳米技术夏令营的研究生和本科生担任中学生的学生导师。实践活动面向10-12岁的儿童，目的是促进对科学领域的早期认识和兴趣。在俄亥俄州立大学，一门专门的本科课程支持了学生对跨学科研究日益增长的兴趣。通过研究和外展活动，瓦斯克斯博士的目标是扩大从K-12到研究生院的不同学生群体的参与。二元硫系化合物是研究最深入的纳米材料之一，因为它们在发光二极管、生物标签、催化剂以及在光电和医疗设备中使用的材料中都有应用。已经实现了控制组成、尺寸和形态的合成策略，从而开发了对所产生的性能的控制。纳米粒子的组成、大小、形状和晶相是相互依赖的，从这些参数得出的潜在合成机制并不总是清楚的。在分子水平上控制这些变量仍然是该领域的主要挑战之一。在这个NSF职业奖项中，Vasquez博士致力于获得有关中间体(如硫族离子团簇)的作用以及它们对溶液中生成的纳米颗粒的组成、大小、形状和结构的影响的基础知识。此外，硫族晶格的稳定性使得通过阴离子和阳离子交换反应对纳米材料的组成进行后合成修饰成为可能。该研究小组旨在通过实施面向10-12岁儿童的纳米技术夏令营，扩大未被充分代表的群体对科学的参与。在俄亥俄州立大学，一门专门的本科课程支持了学生对跨学科研究日益增长的兴趣。

With this award, the Macromolecular, Supramolecular, and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program in the Division of Chemistry is funding Professor Yolanda Vasquez at Oklahoma State University to generate fundamental knowledge on the synthesis of particles at the size of a billionth of a meter that contain the elements sulfur, selenium, and tellurium - collectively known as the chalcogens. These nanostructures have many uses including in television and cell phone displays and for sensitive biomedical imaging. Strategies to improve control of the newly developed structures and chemical compositions are sought. The new chemical combinations and structures are critical to achieving optimal performance in existing and new technological applications. The educational program prepares both graduate and undergraduate students for interdisciplinary research careers in nanoscience. Graduate and undergraduate students at the nanotechnology summer camp held on the OSU campus serve as student mentors to middle schoolers. Hands-on activities are geared towards children ages 10-12 with the goal of promoting early awareness and interest in science fields. A special topics undergraduate course supports the growing student interest in interdisciplinary research at OSU. Through research and outreach activities, Dr. Vasquez aims to broaden the participation of a diverse student population from K-12 through graduate school. Binary chalcogenides are some of the most well-studied nanomaterials due to their applications in light emitting diodes, bio-labels, and catalysts, as well as in materials used in electro-optical and medical devices. Synthetic strategies with control over the composition, size, and morphology have been achieved thus, control over the resulting properties has been exploited. The composition, size, shape, and the crystalline phase of the nanoparticles are interdependent and the underlying synthetic mechanisms derived from these parameters are not always clear. Control over these variables at the molecular level continues to be one of the main challenges in the field. In this NSF CAREER award, Dr. Vasquez seeks to generate fundamental knowledge on the role of intermediates, such as chalcogen ionic clusters, and their effect on the composition, size, shape, and structure of the resulting nanoparticles in solution. Additionally, the robustness of the chalcogen lattice makes post-synthetic modification of the composition of the nanomaterials possible through anion and cation exchange reactions. The research group aims to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in science through the implementation of a nanotechnology summer camp for children ages 10-12. A special topics undergraduate course supports the growing student interest in interdisciplinary research at OSU.